Simcha Time

Amazon.com
On the surface, bandleader, songwriter, clarinetist, comedian, and (most of all) entertainer Mickey Katz is a sort of Jewish-style Spike Jones. Schmaltzy comedy and frenetic klezmer riffs combine to create humorous skits that were part borscht belt, part vaudeville. But listen here to Katz's one "straight" album--the legendary Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and Brisses, recorded in the early '50s for Capitol--and you find a true musician who could swing with jazz's best, a guy with faultless timing and a great sense of humor. On "Frailach Jamboree," he takes the upbeat traditional klezmer pattern (the frailach) and proves he and his band have impeccable timing; the next tune takes klezmer the way of Raymond Scott, the cartoon-music pioneer; on "Simcha Time," he rounds up the whole circus--bride, groom, and family (this is music for weddings, after all)--and happily informs you that the show is going to begin. Whether he's writing cancans or covering "Sunrise, Sunset," you can't help but admire Katz's musical, and comedic, genius. Don Byron achieved acclaim for his album of Katz interpretations, Plays the Music of Mickey Katz, but this is the original thing. And what a gorgeous shtick it was, now--thankfully--reissued entirely on CD with bonus cuts from Hello, Solly, his Broadway musical, and five previously unreleased tunes. --Jason Verlinde

Tracks:

Simcha Time
Mazeltov Dances
Grandma's Draidel
Keneh Hora
Mendel's Song
Litvak Square Dance
Frailach Jamboree
Mamaliege Dance
Berele's Sherele
Trombonik Tanz
The Family Danced (Mickey's Frailachs)
Bar Mitzvah Special
The Wedding Dance
The Wedding Samba
Can Can Kazotski
Bublitchki
Fountainbleu Frailich
Yiddish Square Dance
Mickey's Mishegoss
Sunrise, Sunset
Yiddish Folk Melody

Amazon.com

On the surface, bandleader, songwriter, clarinetist, comedian, and (most of all) entertainer Mickey Katz is a sort of Jewish-style Spike Jones. Schmaltzy comedy and frenetic klezmer riffs combine to create humorous skits that were part borscht belt, part vaudeville. But listen here to Katz's one "straight" album--the legendary Weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and Brisses, recorded in the early '50s for Capitol--and you find a true musician who could swing with jazz's best, a guy with faultless timing and a great sense of humor. On "Frailach Jamboree," he takes the upbeat traditional klezmer pattern (the frailach) and proves he and his band have impeccable timing; the next tune takes klezmer the way of Raymond Scott, the cartoon-music pioneer; on "Simcha Time," he rounds up the whole circus--bride, groom, and family (this is music for weddings, after all)--and happily informs you that the show is going to begin. Whether he's writing cancans or covering "Sunrise, Sunset," you can't help but admire Katz's musical, and comedic, genius. Don Byron achieved acclaim for his album of Katz interpretations, Plays the Music of Mickey Katz, but this is the original thing. And what a gorgeous shtick it was, now--thankfully--reissued entirely on CD with bonus cuts from Hello, Solly, his Broadway musical, and five previously unreleased tunes. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Wondeful collection.......2007-07-08

This is a fine CD and brings back many old memories from the original LP

Who Hah!!.......2003-04-21

What a CD, I can seen my entire family in this CD

What a Simcha !.......2000-01-06

What a wonderful cd. If you are Jewish, you can feel your heritage. The warmth of the music and the fun is just wonderful. Even if you don't understand Yiddish, you can understand it by the feel of the music. I wish Capitol Records would release all of his albums on cd. What a treasure that would be.

This album joyously reminds us of a great musical career!.......1999-07-03

I heard Mickey Katz regularly when he had a radio program in the early 1950's. This album is a wonderful example of the exciting music that he played. I highly recommend it!

SWING & SWAY WITH MICKEY K! Oy vey!.......1998-11-16

Well....You either love this music or you don't. If you love it, it is because of some combination of Jewish ethnicity and the enjoyment of fast, rhythmic music loaded with clarinets, fiddles, horns, and drums. You need never have gone to a Bar Mitzvah, a bris, or a Jewish wedding to get turned on by such gems as "Wedding Dance" or "Wedding Samba." Sure , this CD gets a little too schmaltzy at times, but--Be a mensch and buy it already!

Rock Music:

Rock Music

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